Living Wills

[Juliangel]

I did not want to hijack Tony's Organ Donation thread it is an important one so I am going to start a new one about living wills.

Everyone should have a living will. It is a way to tell family and friends what your wishes are. They will be upset and it is easier if the decisions have already been made.

One thing for woman that some do not think to include, and please do not start an abortion debate over this is a prevision for if you are in a coma and pregnant.

Here is the situation that could happen, the doctor says you could recover if the pregnancy is terminated but you will not if you carry the baby to term. (this happen in real life more than you think)

Your spouse wants to terminate and hopefully get you back and try to have another baby later but your parents see the baby as their last link to you and if they might lose you anyway they want the baby born no matter what.

Spell out if you are in this situation what you want done.

Be very specific about everything so there is no room for different interpretations.

One of the things I got very specific on was organ donation. It says to take everything they can, and while I feel scientific research is important my organs are only to be donated for human transplant, unless all resources have been used and no human match can be found.

 

[Wizard]

So true and also very important...........

 

[teresafannin]

I have mine & all the instructions for my family. My grandmother was on machines at the end of her life & it was horrible. I don't want to put my family through that, they have been through enough. I have copies with my fiancee & my sister. I know they will do what I want if the time comes that I can't make that decision.

 

[TonyG]

I don't feel hijacked Juliangel and thank you for being considerate.

I do not have a living will but it is something I have been thinking about lately. Your example of the family debating over the mother or child is a good example of thinking through possible situations. I have heard of family members being able to "overturn" a living will from some legal standing.

There are many issues to consider and I have been told to discuss it with a family doctor, an ER doctor and a lawyer to try to cover all of the bases.